Military
ACTING COAS CONDOLES LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAGBAJA’S FAMILY
ACTING COAS CONDOLES LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAGBAJA’S FAMILY
By: Our Reporter
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has paid a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff who passed on Tuesday 5th November 2024 after a brief illness. Gen Oluyede paid the condolence on Wednesday 6 November 2024, at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks Abuja, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.
Paying tribute to the late COAS, Gen Oluyede extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.
In a succinct message penned in the condolence register opened in honour of the late COAS, the Acting COAS stated, “It is with a huge sense of loss, albeit responsibility that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army commiserate with Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, the children and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (Nigerian Army Medal) the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation. This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind. We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed. “
It would be recalled that the Late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was on 19 June 2023 appointed Chief of Army Staff by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and fully assumed command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd COAS on 23 June 2023.
A seasoned Infantry officer, the late General Lagbaja, was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He distinguished himself as a Special Forces Commander and a military leader per excellence who held several appointments in the course of his exemplary military career. Late General Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in Enugu and Kaduna, respectively. He also commanded 9 Brigade Ikeja and 2 Brigade Uyo as well as 72 Special Forces Battalion on two separate tours of duty. Prior to his assumption of command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, he was the Chief of Operations (Army), where he coordinated all the operational activities of the Nigerian Army. As the then Chief of Army Staff, he worked assiduously to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges experienced across the nation.
ACTING COAS CONDOLES LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAGBAJA’S FAMILY
Military
Military Air Strike Kills Over 40 ISWAP Fighters, Destroys Vehicles in Badu Village in Borno
Military Air Strike Kills Over 40 ISWAP Fighters, Destroys Vehicles in Badu Village in Borno
By Zagazola Makama
A preliminary intelligence assessment has indicated that a military air strikes on an Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) position at Badu village, south of Gudumbali in Borno State, killed more than 40 fighters and destroyed two vehicles and about 20 motorcycles.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the strike, conducted on Oct. 10, targeted a concentration of ISWAP’s elite Murabitun fighters believed to have been deployed in the area for mobile patrols and surveillance.
According to the preliminary intelligence report, a prominent Qaid (commander) was among those reportedly killed, while the majority of the casualties were recorded inside and around a building hit during the air operation.
The Murabitun fighters are described as an elite mobile patrol element of ISWAP, typically deployed for periods of two to four weeks to conduct opportunistic attacks and provide early warning along the Gudumbali–Kukawa–Gajiram corridor.
Their reported mission in the area is to deter the advance of Nigerian troops towards the Lake Chad region.
Sources further said that ISWAP elements arriving from the Lake Chad area visited Badu at first light on Oct. 11 to evacuate surviving casualties and recover those affected by the strike.
The sources also alleged that the arriving fighters engaged Fulani herders around the abandoned village.
Further details on the incident, including the circumstances surrounding the reported engagement with the herders, were still being awaited as of the latest intelligence update.
Military Air Strike Kills Over 40 ISWAP Fighters, Destroys Vehicles in Badu Village in Borno
Brig.-Gen. Ayoola Takes Over as Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace
By Zagazola Makama
Brig.-Gen. T.A. Ayoola has taken over as the Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) from Brig.-Gen. M.S. Sule in Jos, Plateau State.
The handing and taking over ceremony took place at about 1:00 p.m. on Oct. 10 at the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace, Jos.
Security sources said the ceremony was conducted smoothly, marking the formal transfer of responsibilities from the outgoing Chief of Staff to his successor.
Brig.-Gen. Sule handed over the position to Brig.-Gen. Ayoola during the brief ceremony.l
Operation Enduring Peace is responsible for security operations aimed at maintaining peace and stability across its area of responsibility in Plateau State and surrounding communities.
Brig.-Gen. Ayoola Takes Over as Chief of Staff of Operation Enduring Peace
COAS Deepens Military-Traditional Institution Partnership for National Security
By: Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with traditional institutions and host communities to enhance intelligence gathering and national security.
Shaibu gave the assurance on Friday, Oct. 9, when he paid homage to the Andoma of Doma Kingdom, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr Ahmadu Aliyu Ogga Onawo, at his palace in Doma, Nasarawa State.
The COAS was in Doma for the graduation ceremony of an elite Special Forces Battalion trained at the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in the kingdom.
He acknowledged the strategic role of traditional institutions and host communities in intelligence gathering, early warning, community trust and the promotion of sustainable peace.
Shaibu appreciated the Andoma and the people of Doma for their continued support and hospitality, stressing that a whole-of-society approach remained vital to addressing contemporary security challenges.
He noted that cooperation between the military, traditional rulers and local communities was essential to strengthening security operations and building public confidence.
In his response, the Andoma commended the COAS for his leadership and the establishment of the Nigerian Army Special Forces School in Doma, describing the facility as a significant contribution to the kingdom.
The traditional ruler pledged the continued support of the institution and the people of Doma to the Nigerian Army, while offering prayers for lasting peace, stability and security across the country.
The visit underscores the importance of civil-military cooperation and the role of traditional institutions in supporting security efforts and fostering peaceful coexistence in host communities.
COAS Deepens Military-Traditional Institution Partnership for National Security
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